Associations between parental history of dementia and plasma markers of inflammation in a multi-ethnic middle-aged community of adults.

INTRODUCTION

Parental history of dementia is associated with increased dementia risk. We investigated whether having a parent with dementia is associated with increased peripheral inflammation in middle-aged adults.

METHODS

Participants were from the Offspring Study (n = 1204). Parental dementia status was determined by a diagnostic consensus conference. Plasma chemokine and cytokine concentrations were assayed with Luminex technology.

RESULTS

Parental history of dementia was associated with higher levels of eotaxin and lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and interleukin (IL)-27. IL-18 and epidermal growth factor levels were higher in Black individuals with a parental history of dementia compared to Hispanic individuals with the same history. Women with a parental history of dementia had higher levels of interferon-alpha 2, IL-12p70, soluble CD40 ligand, and IL-18 compared to men with the same history.

DISCUSSION: Parental history of dementia is associated with elevated markers of peripheral inflammation. These associations vary across sex, race, and ethnicity.